I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of The Order of Giants expansion for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle since finishing its main campaign. As noted in my initial review, I praised the base game as a standout entry in the franchise, awarding it a 9/10:
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle delivers a thrilling blend of exploration, narrative depth, and cutting-edge visuals. Its gripping storyline and inventive puzzles solidify its place among the finest adventures featuring the famed archaeologist.
While the game earned universal acclaim, its late launch excluded it from major awards contention. Fans, myself included, eagerly awaited this DLC, teased even before the original release. The promise of unraveling the enigmatic Order of Giants—a central mystery left unresolved—felt like a perfect follow-up. Regrettably, the final product falls short of expectations. Though core gameplay mechanics like environmental puzzles remain engaging (and even more intricate), the “story-driven” label rings hollow. The narrative is threadbare, offering few answers to lingering questions, and culminates in an abrupt, underwhelming finale that will leave players bewildered. The sole boss encounter, while mechanically solid, arrives too late to salvage the experience.
This disappointment stems not from technical execution but squandered potential. The Cult of Mithras is hastily introduced, then abandoned without meaningful development. Even the allure of exploring Rome—a tantalizing prospect—is undercut by confinement to the Cloaca Maxima’s dank tunnels. While sewers suit Indy’s gritty escapades, neglecting iconic landmarks feels like a missed opportunity to immerse players in the Eternal City’s grandeur.
The DLC’s saving grace lies in its technical achievements. Visual enhancements, including path tracing and NVIDIA’s DLSS Ray Reconstruction, elevate an already stunning game. Recent updates introduced RTX Hair, leveraging GeForce RTX 50 Series hardware for lifelike strand rendering. While primarily visible in cutscenes (which are sparse here), the leap in detail is undeniable. Performance remains silky-smooth thanks to MachineGames’ optimized MOTOR engine, eradicating the stuttering woes common in many modern titles.
In closing, The Great Circle remains a must-play, but The Order of Giants struggles to justify its $20 price tag. Wait for a discount unless you crave more puzzles or wish to admire its graphical splendor.
